Latin School, as a part of celebrating their 125th year, commissioned a company to come out and take a photo of all of the kids and teachers, K-12, to line-up to spell out the 125. The photographer made use of a large Cherry-picker to get to the height needed to get the shoot. But then they realized that the process of getting some 1,200 people to crowd together in carefully designated positions, dictated by several math teachers capable of factoring in perspective, was an event worthy of documentation. Based on two previous, unsolicited, short videos of parent "Pot-Luck parties," coupled with the understanding that Lane knows how to make movies; the task fell to us to make the video.
The head of the committee emailed me an example of a college that had spelled-out their age, and was asked to "Make something like that." The heart of the video was time lapse footage condensing the event to three minutes. That seemed like a logical approach which led to several issues, the need to obtain a camera that was designed to shoot time-lapse, the need to guess how long the process would take in an attempt to select the best interval to compress the action; and finally, how with my pronounced fear of heights was I going to shoot from a 60 foot elevation. Lucky for me, Lane had the answer to all three questions; he used a GoPro camera to shoot time-lapse of a construction site while at an internship with a video production studio; he calculated the interval needed, and he was willing to go up in that cherry-picker. The only thing was, as a student, he needed to be IN the photo; so he had to set up the camera, confirm it was working correctly, then ride back to the ground to be a member of the class. So we decided that I would be down on the nice safe ground with the Canon 7D on a tripod,he would set the GoPro and help in shooting the kids arriving, and being arranged, including close-ups,till the moment he had to join the seniors in the photo.
The editing, took a while because of the need to cut 45 minutes of footage from the 7D down to under 3 minutes, That's cutting that involves both aesthetic choices as well as providing a fair distribution of ages and perhaps not cutting the wrong people. This is version of the 125 video Latin has on their website. They made Lane use their fight song instead the better music he had planned- Something about alumni and money. But I understand the difficult nature of being the head of the committee having to please so many people; so the plan was to give them what they wanted. They asked us to help, and after all that the school has done for Lane; we were looking at this as gift, and would cut it anyway they requested.
http://youtu.be/GXcWkngeHPM
Moments after, the plan was to shoot a photo of the senior class. Well, as long as we had the equipment set-up, it seemed natural for Lane and I to shoot a video for the class of 2014. I hope it will be fun for the class of 2014 to see now, and bring back memories years from now, in a way that a single still photo can't match.
Showing posts with label Latin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latin. Show all posts
Friday, November 1, 2013
Monday, October 11, 2010
First 6 Weeks into High School
"Latin Cross Country Team"
While I meticulously avoided any "Formal Extra curricular activities" during my-own time in High School- I have been very pleased to see Lane "Jump-in" to Latin and really try to be apart of the school. I am so glad, that despite his temporary health set-back, and over-booked schedule; that he went back to Cross Country. Granted, he's not any kind of "Star," but the kids have all been great. It is especially heart-warming to see the way the seniors have taken him under their wing, it says a lot about their character.
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| Latin Biology Class |
While the work in high School has definatly required Lane to "Turn it up a notch," I really think that all the Catherine Cook Kids seem up to the task.
At the Homecoming game, I had on my Latin T shirt, and we cheering on the team; I still have a difficult time when the school their playing have a number of Lane's good friends in the freshman class.
Friday, May 14, 2010
High School Admission Results
by Kate Anderson, High School Placement Counselor
MS: Our fabulous 8th grade students have done it again: another year of terrific high school acceptance results to celebrate! All twenty-eight of our students have received offers to rigorous programs throughout the Chicago area, and we are thrilled to report the following high school highlights for our soon-to-be-CCS-graduates:
• This year, we had our first ever acceptance to Northside Prep!
Good Job Lane Lubell
• Four acceptances to Walter Payton and seven acceptances to Whitney Young; the highest number to date for both
• Three of our eighth graders earned perfect scores on the Selective Enrollment Placement Exam!
• Eight acceptances to Lincoln Park International Baccalaureate program; out of seventeen test takers, almost half were invited to continue
• 21 out of 25 students were accepted into one of the top five CPS Selective Enrollment high schools
• 25 out of 28 (about 90%) students were accepted into one of their top three school choices
• 79% private school acceptance rate; however, this does not include wait-listings, which could still result in ultimate acceptance at this time
• This year, we celebrate our first ever CCS recipient of the prestigious and highly-coveted Daniel Murphy Scholarship Award!
Congratulations, 8th graders! We are so proud of you!
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Looks Like it's Latin
Monday morning we went for a tour of Northside College Prep.
We arrived to find two police cars and a "Paddy wagon" double parked by the entrance of school, all the same we parked our car and walked through the door and to the front desk.
The truth is the the director of admissions could not have been nicer. There were two other children, each with a parent, also on our tour. He walked us through the school, which was bright, clean and open. While they did not have much of the technology that is present at Lane's current school; they seemed to have all the basics. At separate times, we bumped into the two girls we knew attended Northside, they both ran up and gave us hugs.
We spent time speaking with the principle, who seemed quite competent and who answered questions openly. Among the questions were ones concerning the One Billion dollar short fall facing the CPS, and the resulting cut-backs. She was clearly unhappy that they were being forced to cut out all second year sports, particularly considering that she understood it was just the first of many shoes to drop.
The bottom line was Ilene and I both felt that this was a viable choice for Lane. Neither of us had any question that the school was a safe place, filled with smart kids. We did say that we were going to let Lane pick.... and I know as soon as Lane heard that the average class size was between 28 - 31 kids, his decision was made.
We arrived to find two police cars and a "Paddy wagon" double parked by the entrance of school, all the same we parked our car and walked through the door and to the front desk.
The truth is the the director of admissions could not have been nicer. There were two other children, each with a parent, also on our tour. He walked us through the school, which was bright, clean and open. While they did not have much of the technology that is present at Lane's current school; they seemed to have all the basics. At separate times, we bumped into the two girls we knew attended Northside, they both ran up and gave us hugs.
We spent time speaking with the principle, who seemed quite competent and who answered questions openly. Among the questions were ones concerning the One Billion dollar short fall facing the CPS, and the resulting cut-backs. She was clearly unhappy that they were being forced to cut out all second year sports, particularly considering that she understood it was just the first of many shoes to drop.
The bottom line was Ilene and I both felt that this was a viable choice for Lane. Neither of us had any question that the school was a safe place, filled with smart kids. We did say that we were going to let Lane pick.... and I know as soon as Lane heard that the average class size was between 28 - 31 kids, his decision was made.
While I would have loved not to have the pressure of having to write those large checks; I do believe Latin will be the right spot for him. To his credit, Lane was very concerned about the cost, and said he totally understands if we don't want to spend the money. We said it's OK, but understand there will be times when some of the kids in your class might be planning to fly off to Zurich for Spring skiing, and your going to have to tell them "Sorry, but my dad's Gulf Stream is in the shop." "Maybe Next Year."
Well, at least the process is complete.
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Monday, March 1, 2010
High School Letters
I would Love to tell you about the calm, C'est La Vie attitude with which I approached this whole High School application process. About how I always knew it would all work out, that Lane would have a choice of fine options. The only problem is, for me to sate that would be a complete lie.
Forget about discussions over whether I viewed the glass as half empty or half full, I got to the point I was worried, what if the glass is poisoned. My Mom and Dad both had a hard time understanding my panic, especially since Lane was still in Kindergarten at the time.
"Don't you think your a bit premature in your worry," he said ,comforting me while reminding me that Lane was only starting his second week of SK.
Ilene managed to remain a bit more up-beat. To put this into "Homeland Security terms" she was a code YELLOW to my code RED.
As the years went by my pending sense of "DOOM" would range in volume from a constant dull hum, to the roar of a Harley "Fully-opened" on an otherwise quite night.
Yes, to my surprise Lane did get into Latin,
No, to my surprise Lane did NOT get into Northshore Country Day.
I was pretty sure it would have been the opposite.
I still think Lane is a "Perfect fit" for North Shore. But OK. I'm fine with the way it turned out. You have no idea how hard it is to get Lane up and out of the house by 8:00, the idea of him making a 6:45 train is hard to imagine.
I keep a spray bottle of water in his room- spraying him in the face is about the only way to get him up in the morning.
Forget about discussions over whether I viewed the glass as half empty or half full, I got to the point I was worried, what if the glass is poisoned. My Mom and Dad both had a hard time understanding my panic, especially since Lane was still in Kindergarten at the time.
"Don't you think your a bit premature in your worry," he said ,comforting me while reminding me that Lane was only starting his second week of SK.
Ilene managed to remain a bit more up-beat. To put this into "Homeland Security terms" she was a code YELLOW to my code RED.As the years went by my pending sense of "DOOM" would range in volume from a constant dull hum, to the roar of a Harley "Fully-opened" on an otherwise quite night.
Time was on our side, but only in-so-much as the fact that I could tell myself that we have years before we have to face it head on; not that time was reducing the inevitable battle. To put it another way, we had years before Lane had to face the Dragon, but battle it he must, and the dragon was not getting any weaker while waiting.
Seventh grade was spent with me constantly apologising to Lane that we had put him in a situation where near perfection was the required minimum. I never had that pressure when I was in school; I did feel bad that he had that demand placed on his middle school years.
In addition to a school year that "REQUIRED" all "A"s , Lane had his Bar Mitzvah, and Fencing five days per week. One day he came home and told me he wanted to teach an elective class at school. I told him "I didn't know kids were allowed to teach classes to other Middle-school students." He said "Well not yet, but I made up a lesson plan and then I'm going to present it to the head of Middle School and the head of school, and see if I can persuade them to let me be the first. I can't remember the exact words of support I uttered but it went something like " Have you lost your Fu@k!#g Mind'? "This is 7th grade, don't you have enough on your plate already?
But, to his credit, he ignored me, and added teaching to schedule.
Somehow he pulled it off.......
He managed to jump-through the very center of each and every flaming hoop in his path. As a result, 7th grade concluded with Lane having a "Point-Total" that kept even the most competitive schools on the list of possibilities. At the same time it focused the need to continue down the path that could not entertain the idea of a single flaw. Like a person walking a Tight-Rope 100 feet off the ground - it doesn't help to make it "Almost across."
The first 3 months of eighth grade was basically one unending set of tests.
The Catholic School test, The Selective Enrollment test, The International Baccalaureate (IB) test, The Independent schools test (ISSE) and the National Merit Scholarship Test. The idea was to cast the largest possible net, so as to achieve at least one acceptance.
When he was not taking one of these tests, he was either "Shadowing" at some school, or we were all touring some open house, attending some event. Each of which required carefully crafted letters thanking "_______" for the opportunity to visit their school. I can state with absolute certainty, that I devoted more time writing the some total of these letters; than I spent on all the writing assignments I completed in all four year of high school.
If you have not gone through this process with your child, it is difficult to grasp the emotional marathon. The simple truth is that the lion's-share of Chicago public schools fall far below the threshold of "Possible choices." That results in somewhere around 20,000 + students competing for approximately 200 spots at Payton and 250 Spots at Northside, and I think somewhere in the vicinity of 400 at Young.
While the numbers are frightening, at least you understand the process, and have a numerical guide - a target.
The private schools have all the transparency of joining the Skull and Bones Society. As a result it is only natural to make some effort to fit into what you perceive to be that school's ideal candidate. This left me second-guessing each wardrobe choice, and, yes, actually standing in front of a mirror asking the burning question- " Should I tuck my shirt in, or leave it out."
If your a Black male, with straight "A"s, and test scores in the top 2%, and have parents that are able to write "Large-Checks" over and above the $28,000/year tuition - I have to assume your acceptance letter is in the mail.
Other than that, it's a mystery!
On February 16th Ilene flew out to Detroit to be with her mom while she was in the hospital suffering from a reaction from a new medication. Two days later, Lane and I drove out to be there as well. ( I am so happy to report that she is feeling better).
Friday February 18th was the day that the Private school letters we all sent. That meant that when we arrived back home Sunday night results would be waiting in the mail box. Starting Saturday morning, the first of the Facebook postings started to appear. Lane was busy congratulating friends that got into schools that he new were their first or second choice. This time of year is a social minefield- your happy to see friends get into places they want to attend, you feel bad for those that you know are disappointed. Clearly there was a part of me that wanted to get home as soon as possible to check the mail; while I also must admit that the idea of getting in the car and just continuing to drive till we reached a small town in Utah where we could Begin "New Lives" with out ever looking back, and more importantly; without ever opening those envelopes.
It was about 7:30 that night when we pulled into the garage, the 30 foot walk from there to the back door felt like it took hours. The envelopes were spread-out and Lane opened them up one at a time, with a care that almost felt like how they were opened would somehow effect their content.
Yes, to my surprise Lane did get into Latin,
No, to my surprise Lane did NOT get into Northshore Country Day.I was pretty sure it would have been the opposite.
I still think Lane is a "Perfect fit" for North Shore. But OK. I'm fine with the way it turned out. You have no idea how hard it is to get Lane up and out of the house by 8:00, the idea of him making a 6:45 train is hard to imagine.
I keep a spray bottle of water in his room- spraying him in the face is about the only way to get him up in the morning.
We first applied to Latin when Lane was 5 years old. After being "Wait-listed" for JK, again for SK, again for third grade, we had the YES we had been waiting to hear. 
The Contract signed, the first $1,000 check attached, just $119,000.00 more to go. Ilene ready to personally deliver the envelope.
The Contract signed, the first $1,000 check attached, just $119,000.00 more to go. Ilene ready to personally deliver the envelope. Based on his test scores- we were not surprised that he was accepted into the I.B.
I was almost hoping that he did not get into Northside Prep. so I would feel better
about paying for Latin - but he did.
about paying for Latin - but he did.
This brings us to today - Torn !
Latin is a beautiful building, at the idea location, 2 1/2 miles from home, a mile from my work.If he forgot something at home, we could "Cover" After school, he could walk to my office, the building, literally looks out at my parents building.
Class sizes range from a high of 15 to as few as 5.
We know if we email a teacher at 1:00- they will write back by 3:00 that same day. It would be impossible for Lane to fall-through-the-cracks. He will go there with some of his friends, including one of his best friends.
Check out Project Week Catalog 2010 I would LOVE to be able to go here!
Even though this has a reputation as a very academically challenging school;
We KNOW Lane will be successful here. Cost $28,000 +
__________________________________________
OR..... Northside Prep
Top 100 high schools in Illinois
In 2010 Northside was rated #37 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report
In 2010 Northside was rated #37 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report
#1 High School in Illinois
With an Average ACT Score of 28.5
The location an hour round trip. A Public school with 20+ kids per class. (20 very smart, over-achieving Kids).
The school is likely the best public school in the Midwest.
They have a Laptop program the school is about 12 years old.
Lane will only know two people, both girls, Very nice girls, but both years older.
My fear is that I'm throwing Lane into a "Pressure- Cooker).
Cost = $0
I try to tell my self I'm being "Nice" to Lane by letting him pick - Truth is I'm reluctant to make the decision.
We are going to tour Northshore this week.... It is impossible not view it as a real option.
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